Monastery of the Holy Cross

What kind of tree has been provided for the wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified? The answer goes back to Abraham was well over the years in which three staff-bearing angels dared in his tent. According to the prediction that Sarah would, despite their advanced age, they continue on their way pregnant, leaving behind their sticks.

Later, during the flight with her daughters Sodom, Abraham's nephew Lot has committed the terrible sin of incest (Genesis 19:31-35). He confessed to his uncle,Lot, the proposed system slats Jerusalem as a penance. If you grow up together in a flowering tree, is a sign of God's forgiveness, he said.

Lot took his job seriously. Every morning he went with his ass in the Jordan River, and loaded with holy water, returned to the fertile valley in which he had planted the auction. Finally, they meet in a special tree triple Crested.

Much later, this strange tree fell in the bar, choppedTemple of Solomon. But the bars were not too long, too short or rolled up the ends to make a path. Solomon bar workers cursed and threw it aside. According to legend, a thousand years after the unfortunate beams have been rediscovered and used to fashion the cross of Jesus But here's the story of Professor Vassilios Tzaferis the Antiquities Authority calls for a conglomerate of beliefs and traditions, supplemented by historical facts.

When the Persians conquered Jerusalemin 614, says Tzaferis have plundered the holy places, and carried the cross. It 'been a decade later by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, who defeated the Persians in a series of brilliant campaigns. Tradition dictates that on the way back to the site of crucifixion, which he in Cross Back then, he spent the night in a secluded valley a few kilometers west of Jerusalem - now known as the Valley of the Cross. When he slept, the holy cross in addition to the stumpthe tree, had set up his wood. The next day, grew up in Jerusalem, Jerusalem Heraclius and Patriarch of the Holy Cross in exaltation.

This whole account is faithfully represented on the cross in the 18th Century, the icon displayed at the Monastery of the Holy situated in the valley where Heraclius spent the night. Built in 1039 by a Georgian (Iberian) Monaco Prochorus name is the monastery on earlier foundations, whose exact origin is uncertain. The initialChurch could be a gift to the fourth century by the great in the first Christian king of Georgia Constantine was or was built by order of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century - a century and restored by Heraclius after. You might also says Tzaferis were built by Heraclius himself.

Prochorus followed the original lines from a single large dome - a symbol of the Christian heaven. And 'populated with monks of the system. Tzaferis reported that the Crusaders, who appeared 60Years later was named the Georgian monastery and appropriating some of its holdings vast territory.

Under the Mamelukes conquered the Land of Israel and expelled the Crusaders, the Georgians have offered special privileges - perhaps, says Tzaferis because their countries of origin as they were geographically close. Georgian became the official sponsor of the holy places of Jerusalem - the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was added.

Towards the end of the 12th Century, knownGeorgian poet Shota Rustaveli came to the valley. Rumors that there was or was sent by his lover, the Georgian Queen Tamara - or was fleeing from his loving clutches. Rustaveli established the strengthening of the monastic brotherhood of Georgia and repairs to buildings. Many of the monks at this time were brilliant scientists and their work formed the basis for what would become one of the most impressive libraries Jerusalem.

After the execution of accumulating large debts, butThe Georgian Church was forced to all its properties and Jerusalem by the end of the 17th Century were sold Georgian monks left in the city. Ownership of the monastery of the Holy Cross Orthodox Patriarchate greek, creation of a theological seminary of all respect, in this context in 1855 was transferred. were added at this time the top two floors and a tower of the monastery, the cells were converted into classrooms and the dining hall has been expanded. During this goldenThe monastery has opened a museum of antiquities in one of its rooms and enhanced the library with new works. Tzaferis concerns that a number of the seminar was to 450 students in the greek Orthodox patriarch has become.

Fifty years after its opening, the school closed for lack of funds and only one or two monks were in residence. The breathtaking ancient abbey, the oldest of Jerusalem was standing, has degenerated into.

After a comprehensive review ofIn early 1970, the historic monastery opened to the public for the first time. The beautiful church, the refectory beautiful, ancient and fascinating cuisine museum was a popular attraction for Israeli tourists and foreigners.

Designed in a basilica with three courses (one large and two smaller center to the sides) of the sanctuary is unmistakable East. A richly decorated iconostasis separates the sanctuary from the prayer hall and is near a part ofSixth-century mosaic floor discovered during restoration in 1973. It contains geometric shapes, plants and even a few big fish - an early Christian symbol.

The walls of the church and several square pillars are covered with magnificent frescoes, including some that have been removed, framed and sold by impoverished Georgians. The figures of the Old Testament and there, and many of the saints are generously represented in the icons and frescoes on the walls and pillars. AArchangel painting dates from the 14th Century!

A fall is just around the entrance to the church has a beautiful painting of a hand holding ten heads in the palm of your hand. This is the hand of the Lord, and is registered in Georgia on one side, the other Greek. At the entrance is the icon of excitement, tells the story of the Holy Cross - and the valley where I grew up.

The monastery was built on the basis of the strain from which the HolyCross was fashioned, or as people think. Until the 15th century, he says, the pilgrims would make the effort to cut is a double anti-off the main church. Nothing remains of the tree that He was crushed by overzealous pilgrims. Today the site is covered by a decorative plate.

There are plans for restructuring, a fascinating museum of the convent. It contains all kinds of impressive artifacts, including ancient symbol of the Holy Places, a candlestick with an automaticCover, China's gorgeous, and an old telescope used to teach astronomy, theology students!